Compulsive Scalp Picking

[Christi797]

I am 28 years old and have picked scabs on my scalp since I was about 12 years old.  Normally I find little imperfections, possibly dandruff or dry scalp, and I pick at it until it becomes a scab.  Once a scab develops, I find myself uncontrollably picking at it, so it usually never heals or takes an extremely long time or another scab to develop to stop.  Right now, I have a total of six scabs that I have created on my scalp.  When I am picking I can't necessarily say that it relieves stress like I have found on some of the other web sites, but more of an obsession that I can't control.  I have been treated for depression and PTSD, but have never mentioned my compulsive picking.  I have been prescribed both Zoloft and Prozac with Klonopin for the symptoms of anxiety and depression, but I still seem to pick at me head.  The kicker is that I also do this in my sleep.  I will literally wake up with blood under my nails.  What treatment options are there other than medication?  Should I tell my primary care physician or should I talk to a psychiatrist?  What are some of the causes of this, could it be OCD?  I don't really have any sort of rituals like you see or read about or extreme fears, but I can not seem to stop picking at my scalp, and although I am not pulling at my hair, I am noticing hair loss.  Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Sanctuarium]

I have picked my scalp to the point of it bleeding and scabbing it up for a few years now. I don't mention it to the hairdresser who does my hair color touchups but I am pretty sure he must see some of the scabs. He is aware that I have MS. I was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis in late July of 2017 after a brain MRI came back showing lots of MS lesions and a spinal tap came back positive for high amounts of elevated protein 'o' bands. I do have depression and anxiety as well as carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spinal stenosis. I don't know if my MS has anything to do with my scalp picking (otherwise known as a form of 'Excoriation Disorder'). See this URL: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1122042-overview
Excoriation disorder in my case is mainly my scalp, however I also pick behind my ears regularly. I also eat anything I pick off my scalp or from behind my ears and I am happy if what I pick off is bloody. It's like a sense of relief and accomplishment for me.

[uhhhelp]

hi everyone, i have a similar issue. i can’t remember when i started picking my scalp but i’m 17 now and it’s becoming a real issue. i don’t have a particular reason for doing it, i just do it?? i always run my fingers over my scalp and if there’s a bump or an imperfection i pick at it until it’s out then pull it out. this usually results in me pulling out hairs as well and it really isn’t pleasant as it can make my head hurt/bleed sometimes. like others who have commented i have depression and anxiety which stemmed from severe ocd that i am still sort of dealing with. i don’t know if this is something due to stress or depression/anxiety as everyone has that in common?

[Mzizzy101]

I’m also 17 and I do The same exact thing. Like I purposely run my hands through my hair to find a scab or imperfection just so I can Pick at it. I also Pull it out and it usually does pull some of my hairs out. I dont know how to treat it but i know it’s starting to be a bad habit because now I’m picking to the point where my scalp is starting to bleed because I’ve picked the same spot too deep. I havent been Treated for depression or anxiety but i know there has to be a reason why I’m doing this too.

[Marie13105]

I have the same thing but i never told a doctor because its inbarrasing. Also i have bleeds and scabes thats old i have it since i was 11years old and i am 12years old now i cant stop scratching and pilling my scalp.Another thing i been going through alot and the more i go through it becomes worse and worse i been wanting to tell a doctor or go get checked in but i dont know if i should or should i just take care of myself have a depression problem and going through alot right now and stressing.......

[Tb1281]

I am so glad that I finally googled why do I pick my scalp. I have been doing this ever since I was a child on and off until now and I will be 36 in a few days. I pick so much there are scabs that never heal. When I feel a scab and pick it I have no idea why I am doing it. My head hurts and stings when I wash my hair. When I see the scab it's almost like it brings me happiness or fulfilment, I know  that sounds weird. Also take blood thinner medication so my head will bleed more than someone that is not taking them. I have anxiety and depression. Also definitely have ocd of some sort. I do have a lot going on in my life and I'm sure a lot of you do as well. Any suggestions to help are greatly appreciated. Its comforting to know I'm not alone.

[milehigh11]

I have picked my scalp for the past 13 years.  I had a break of 2 years in there where i didnt do anything..   But as a woman i am horrified to go to a salon and get my hair cut and the hair person see my scabs.. so i have not gotten a hair cut in YEARS.   split ends like crazy.. Party of me wanted to just shave my head.  

My head doesnt itch.. But i will run my fingers thru my scalp and if i find a bump/scab i start to pick at it and wont stop till the scab comes out with hair /skin.   Its very disgusting.. when i visit my mom she will watch me and says stop but i cant.   DNA all over the floors.  

I have been diagnosed with OCD/Anxiety.. when i was taking Zoloft it didnt help my picking.. And frankly im not a good drug taker so i stopped taking them after awhile.  Right now i would say i have 6-7 spots that i pick at regularly.  

[looneyliz]

Hi its Looney Liz again.  i bought a head massaging machine off internet but not much help so far, less sores but deeper and bigger.  am finding carrying a tube of handcream in my bag and massaging it into my hands when tempted to scratch in public does help

[Mzizzy101]

The same thing happens to me too. Like my head doesn’t itch or anything but I purposely run my fingers through my hair to find a bump or scar just so I can pick at it. I’ve been doing this for years. I’m 17 and I’ve been doing it since middle school.

[anxious244]

When I was 11, I started picking my scalp. I found it satisfying to have some build up under my fingernails, and I would eat it. Have any of you eaten the scabs too? Not because you like the taste but just because it's habit.

[Mzizzy101]

I’m 17 and I do The same thing too. I dont know how a gained the habit of also eating my scabs but I’ve been doing it for a long time.